The Armstrong Atlantic State University athletic department will host its first Treasure Walk for Women’s Athletics on Oct. 13 on the Armstrong campus in order to help raise money for the B.J. Ford Athletic Scholarship.

The scholarship was established this year in honor of Ford, the head coach for the inaugural women’s basketball and softball teams at Armstrong. The scholarship will be awarded to one student-athlete who competes on one of the six women’s intercollegiate athletic teams: volleyball, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf or softball.

The cost of the walk is a $25 donation for adults, and children 12 and older can walk for a $10 donation. Children 11 and under and Armstrong students with valid student ID can walk for free.

The event begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 13 with a captain’s meeting and team registration until 10 a.m. The walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will cover the campus grounds with awards and prizes to follow.

Participants will then enjoy free admission to the Armstrong volleyball match vs. USC Aiken at 2 p.m. and the Armstrong soccer match against Georgia College at 3:30 p.m.

For more information on how to become a captain for a team in the walk or to register individually, contact Armstrong AD Lisa Sweany at Lisa.Sweany@armstrong.edu. The form is available on armstrongpirates.com.

Falcons sign CB Franks, waive WR Toone

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed cornerback Dominique Franks, less than a week after he was cut by the team.

To make room for Franks on the 53-man roster Thursday, the Falcons waived injured receiver Tim Toone.

Franks was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 2010 and started four games last season. He was beaten out during the preseason by Christopher Owens and Robert McClain for backup roles behind Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson and Asante Samuel. But the Falcons decided to beef up their secondary depth heading into Sunday’s opener at Kansas City.

Toone was a seventh-round pick by Detroit in 2010. He spent time on the practice squad with the Lions and two other teams before joining the Falcons this year.

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Texas Tech hoops coach Gillispie leaves hospital

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech coach Billy Gillispie was discharged from the hospital on Thursday after a six-day stay amid an investigation into alleged player mistreatment.

University Medical Center spokesman Eric Finley said Gillispie left the hospital sometime after 3 p.m. Thursday. Messages were left seeking comment from Gillispie and athletic director Kirby Hocutt.

Hocutt has said the university is investigating allegations that Gillispie mistreated players.

Newman signs extension with Stewart-Haas

RICHMOND, Va. — Ryan Newman confirmed Thursday he has signed a contract extension with Stewart-Haas Racing for next season.

Newman is in the final year of the deal he signed in 2009. The extension is a one-year agreement, and he said he took a cut in pay just as nearly every driver has of late.

“I think in general everybody out there right now has taken a pay cut,” Newman said. “No different than the cost of a seat in the grandstands is down. It all correlates.”

SHR is searching for heavy sponsorship for next year after taking two big hits this summer. The U.S. Army, primary sponsor of Newman’s car, said earlier this summer it isn’t returning to NASCAR next season.

Newman said he isn’t aware of any signed sponsors for next season on his No. 39 Chevrolet.

“I feel fairly confident that we’ll have good branding on the car,” he said. “I can’t sit here and say exactly who it is going to be and how it’s going to lay out and what race they’re going to be at. I can tell you this for sure — it’s going to be multiple sponsorships.”

Broncos’ Dreessen doesn’t mind ban on his jersey

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen says he isn’t bothered by the Greeley school district’s ban on his jersey number and others because they’re associated with local gangs.

The district bans 13, 14 and 18 and their reverse, 31, 41 and 81. Dreessen wears 81.

The rule is three years old but made headlines this week after a third-grader wearing Peyton Manning’s No. 18 was sent home to change.

Dreessen said Thursday the ban doesn’t bother him if it prevents trouble.

“Honestly,” he says, “I’m OK with the rule the school made if it prevents any kind of gang violence or any kind of bullying.”

Eighteen is in the name of the 18th Street gang, while 13 and 14 are associated with other gangs but not used in their names.

Vikings RB Peterson says he’s ready to play

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Adrian Peterson hasn’t wavered all summer: He says he is ready to play for Minnesota in the season opener.

The star running back, recovering from a surgically repaired left knee, said Thursday he has “somewhat” of a gut feeling about whether the Vikings will let him suit up on Sunday for the game against Jacksonville.

Peterson didn’t specify whether he’s expecting to play and knows the decision is out of his hands.

“I’m below; I got coach (Leslie) Frazier, then I’ve got the owner, there’s a lot of people that’s really calling the shots,” Peterson said. “So, only thing I can do is control my part. I’ve been doing that this week, continue to do that today. And before the game, I’m going to go out there and see what I can do and hopefully I will get the nod. I want to play, obviously.”

Frazier has said Peterson’s participation won’t be determined until right before the game, but said a decision would likely come after watching Peterson in practice Thursday and today. He said there was nothing the back could probably show the team on Sunday to change any previous declarations.

“I think we’d know Saturday where things are,” Frazier said. “I don’t think we’d work him out pregame to see if he’s ready to play. We’ll have a good idea after we get through with Friday where he stands.”

Frazier has pushed a cautious approach, insisting this week that if Peterson does play against the Jaguars his workload will be limited. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said the team has determined an appropriate number of carries for Peterson in the opener if he suits up.

Peterson had surgery Dec. 31 to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee stemming from a hit in a game at Washington late last season. The knee injury, and a previous high ankle sprain that limited Peterson to 12 games, kept him from reaching 1,000 yards for the first time in his five NFL seasons. Peterson said it will be tough if he’s told he won’t be active for Sunday’s game.

“It will be a hard pill to swallow,” Peterson said. “So, hopefully that’s not the case.”